§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) why feather and polyester pillows have been included in the draft Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations;
(2) what evidence he has to suggest that feather-filled pillows and polyester pillows are toxic when burning;
(3) when he expects the BSI flammability committee TCM/30 to report its findings on the flammability of pillows;
(4) if he will list in the Official Report any research findings which identify pillows as a particular fire hazard.
§ Mr. ButcherPillows with little or no fire resistance can contribute to bed fires in much the same way as scatter cushions on upholstered furniture can pose a hazard. Accordingly the draft Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations propose identical requirements to improve the fire performance of pillows and scatter cushions. Combustion-modified foams will be the only permitted foam filling in furniture and these ancillary items.
Non-foam fillings in furniture, cushions, and pillows also pose a fire hazard, and the regulations should address this. Feather and polyester pillows are readily ignitable. Account has also to he taken of their propensity to produce smoke and toxic gases. The fillings can give rapid rates of smoke obscuration, and, in the case of polyester, black smoke. They also give off significant amounts of carbon monoxide. In addition, feathers give off toxic gases of hydrogen cyanide and of nitrates.
The British Standards Institution is considering a flammability specification for pillows, but this will not be completed in time to call it up in the regulations.